It doesn’t get much bigger than this in the opening month of the Premier League season. Arsenal, unbeaten and defensively watertight so far, head to Anfield to take on reigning champions Liverpool in what already feels like a test of title credentials.
Both sides enter with perfect records intact, but the contrasts are striking, the Reds have been thrilling in attack but fragile at the back, while we have built momentum on discipline, structure and a growing ruthlessness in both boxes.
When & where? / Kick-off details
The game takes place at Anfield on Sunday, August 31, with kick-off scheduled for 16:30 BST. It will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports, with global coverage ensuring eyes from across Europe and beyond are fixed on Merseyside for this heavyweight battle.
Team news
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Liverpool’s only absentee is summer signing Jeremie Frimpong, who continues his recovery from a hamstring problem. Alexis Mac Allister is back in training and should return, while Conor Bradley is an option at right-back after Dominik Szoboszlai deputised against Newcastle.
For Arsenal, the injury list is far more concerning. Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz are both ruled out for weeks, Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from his ACL issue, and Martin Odegaard is in a race against time after a shoulder injury against Leeds. Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Christian Norgaard are all carrying knocks but could feature.
The silver lining is the squad depth that has been assembled; Noni Madueke is ready to step into Saka’s role, while Eberechi Eze or Ethan Nwaneri could be tasked with filling Odegaard’s creative void.
Tactical analysis
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Liverpool under Arne Slot have carried their attacking momentum into the new season, with Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo thriving in advanced roles. Their pressing remains relentless, but their defensive line has been alarmingly open, particularly when transitions are sprung quickly against them. Expect Arsenal to exploit these spaces with Viktor Gyokeres’ direct runs and Martinelli’s pace down the left.
For Mikel Arteta, control remains the cornerstone. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi will be crucial in midfield, breaking up Liverpool’s patterns and progressing the ball into wide areas.
Arsenal’s set-piece threat has already paid dividends this season and will again be a key weapon against a Liverpool side vulnerable in those situations. The challenge will be maintaining our defensive shape against Salah, who has a fearsome record against us and cutting off his combinations with Wirtz.
Key players
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Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal): The Swede has hit the ground running and will be central to our ability to pin back Liverpool’s high line and convert in transition.
Eberechi Eze (Arsenal): With Odegaard doubtful, Eze’s creativity and ball-carrying will be vital in breaking through the Reds’ midfield press.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Eleven goals against Arsenal in his career says it all. Stopping him is never straightforward, but limiting his influence will be decisive.
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): The defensive leader has looked unsettled at times this season, and Gyokeres will test him physically throughout the contest.
Predicted lineups
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Conclusion / Prediction
Trips to Anfield have so often left us empty-handed, but this feels like a genuine opportunity to break that cycle. Liverpool’s attack will threaten, and Salah will likely find a way through once, but their defensive issues give us reason to believe. Even with Saka, Havertz and Odegaard potentially sidelined, the squad’s depth and Arteta’s structure can carry us through. We’ve become increasingly streetwise in these fixtures, and another resilient defensive display, coupled with Gyokeres’s clinical edge, could tilt this in our favour.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Related Items:Arne Slot, Eberechi Eze, Liverpool, Noni Madueke
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